Peter Gabriel's haunting ballad 'In Your Eyes' has captivated audiences for decades with its poignant lyrics and sweeping orchestral arrangement. Released in 1986 on the iconic album of the same name (So), this timeless classic cemented Gabriel's status as a solo artist worthy of his former Genesis superstardom.

The song's origins can be traced back to an African tradition where love songs often walked a fine line between expressing romantic feelings and devotion to a higher power. This ambiguity is expertly captured by Gabriel in 'In Your Eyes,' whose lyrics oscillate between tender declarations of love for another person ('I don't know if I'm awake, but these arms are holding me') and more spiritual yearnings ('Can you feel my heart beating like it's trying to escape?').

Musically, the song features a lush string section that swells beneath Gabriel's emotive vocals. The pièce de résistance comes in the form of Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour joining forces with Gabriel on an extended coda – his Wolof language contributions adding an exotic yet deeply affecting touch to this already epic ballad.

While 'In Your Eyes' may not have been a chart-topper upon its initial release (it stalled at number 2 in the UK Singles Chart), it has since become one of Peter Gabriel's most beloved and enduring solo creations. Its themes of love, loss, longing – both human and divine – continue to resonate powerfully with listeners today.

In many ways, 'In Your Eyes' serves as a microcosm for much of Gabriel's own artistic output throughout his storied career: introspective yet universal; deeply personal while still evoking timeless universality. It is little wonder then that this masterful ballad remains an enduring fixture in the canon of great rock songs – and will likely continue to do so for generations to come.

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